Former Volunteer Fire Chief Charged With Stealing Money From Department Speaks Out

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Alabama News Network

The former chairman of the Autauga County Commission and two former Autaugaville volunteer fire chiefs face charges they misused money that was supposed to fund the fire department.

Former Autauga County Commission Chairman and current Water Works head Daniel Chavers faces six felony charges. Former Fire Chief Ernest Stoudemire is also charged with theft and ethics violations, as is Mack Harmon, a former assistant Autaugaville volunteer fire chief

All three of these men face felony charges, relating to the time they were supposed to be serving the public. The Alabama Attorney General's office says they have all been indicted, but one of those men is speaking out only to Alabama News Network, saying he didn't know anything about the accusations until he was arrested.

"It's a very let down to the community and me, because I have never done anything. This is the first time I've been arrested in my life, and I'm 69 years old," said Mack Harmon.

Harmon says he denies any allegations of wrongdoing. He says he came into the chief position following Daniel Chavers. According to Harmon, there was no money left in the account at that time. Chavers could not be reached for comment.

Volunteer firefighters say they're shocked and angry about the idea of someone stealing from firefighters, you might as well just rob a church," said Willie Wilson.

We called the Attorney General's office to see if they would go into more details on the charges, but they would not give an interview. Officials at Autaugaville Water Works also denied our requests for an interview.

According to the Attorney General's office, money from both Autaugaville Water Works and the volunteer fire department was misused.

The Autaugaville City Council is set to meet next Monday, and the mayor says the council is likely to talk about the arrests and come up with a plan of action then.